Part of the duty that the men were trained for and expected, was to face the Native American fiercely defending their homes and way of life. Those of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry - The Buffalo Soldiers - because of their tenacity, hardness, and resolute courage, had already won the respect of the enemy who gave them their famous nom de guerre. But there were harder parts of soldiering than enduring the long rides, bad food, and hand-me-down equipment. There was always the parting from family and loved ones. And whether it was for the first time or the fiftieth, they never knew if it might be the last. The women were painfully aware of it to: A forced smile, a reassuring hug were not enough. Because of the inherent danger of the duty, and the savage enemy - but mostly because the men were often too brave for their own good - there was always the one most important promise that might not be kept.